The Constitutional The Constitutional ConventionConvention

A Student Centered Learning A Student Centered Learning ApproachApproach

The Annapolis ConferenceThe Annapolis Conference The conference was called to discuss The conference was called to discuss

how to fix the government to avoid how to fix the government to avoid another revolution because:another revolution because: States were in debtStates were in debt Taxes to high (Proof was Shay’s Rebellion)Taxes to high (Proof was Shay’s Rebellion) Interstate commerce a messInterstate commerce a mess Foreign trade problemsForeign trade problems

Called by Called by NationalistsNationalists People who supported a strong national People who supported a strong national

governmentgovernment Ben Franklin, George Washington, James Ben Franklin, George Washington, James

MadisonMadison

The Annapolis ConventionThe Annapolis Convention Started in 1786Started in 1786 Meet in Annapolis, MarylandMeet in Annapolis, Maryland Only 5 out of the 13 states Only 5 out of the 13 states

were presentwere present New York, New Jersey, New York, New Jersey,

Delaware, PennsylvaniaDelaware, Pennsylvania Need to change the Articles Need to change the Articles

of Confederationof Confederation Alexander HamiltonAlexander Hamilton Meet Meet

again in a year see how things again in a year see how things have changedhave changed

Alexander

Hamilton

The Constitutional ConventionThe Constitutional Convention In the mean time Shays’s Rebellion has

happened (1787) Causes states to be nervous, fear that the

rebelliousness will come to their sate 1787 rolls around

Time for the second Annapolis Convention 12 out of 13 states attend

This time they meet in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1787 Becomes known as the Constitutional

Convention Goal was to Revise the Articles of Confederation

The Constitutional The Constitutional ConventionConvention The only state that did not attend or send

delegates was Rhode Island Rhode Island was opposed to a stronger government Were a small state, and felt they would loose their

equal representation (one vote for each state) 55 delegates total, all delegates were:

Lawyers, planters and merchants (wealthy) Most had experience in colonial, state or national

government 8 had signed the Declaration of Independence

“Assembly of demigods” – Thomas Jefferson

The Constitutional The Constitutional ConventionConvention

Congress had to find a balance Congress had to find a balance between the large and small states between the large and small states and northern and southern interests.and northern and southern interests. Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan The Great Compromise

RepresentationRepresentationClick the Virginia Plan to learn about

finding a balance!

The Virginia PlanThe Virginia Plan Plan for a national government Plan for a national government

Written by James MadisonWritten by James Madison Wanted to Establish:Wanted to Establish:

Legislative, Executive and Judiciary BranchLegislative, Executive and Judiciary Branch Legislative Branch would be bicameral Legislative Branch would be bicameral

(composed of two houses)(composed of two houses) One house elected by citizensOne house elected by citizens Second house would be nominated by state Second house would be nominated by state

governmentgovernment Membership based on population of each state Membership based on population of each state

Favors larger states= more representationFavors larger states= more representation Strong national governmentStrong national government

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The Virginia PlanThe Virginia PlanDid the Continental Congress Approve Did the Continental Congress Approve

or Disapprove? or Disapprove? They Liked the idea of dividing the They Liked the idea of dividing the

government into 3 branchesgovernment into 3 branches Small states did not like itSmall states did not like it

Feared being outvoted by larger statesFeared being outvoted by larger states William Paterson of New Jersey William Paterson of New Jersey

proposed an alternative plan – proposed an alternative plan – The New Jersey Plan

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The New Jersey PlanThe New Jersey Plan Unicameral Unicameral Same Same

as Articles of as Articles of ConfederationConfederation

One Vote for each One Vote for each state = Equal state = Equal representation for all representation for all statesstates

Congress could:Congress could: Set taxesSet taxes Regulate tradeRegulate trade

Favors small statesFavors small states Click to see who wins!

Who Wins?Who Wins? NO ONE!NO ONE! They decided to scrap the Articles all They decided to scrap the Articles all

together and start freshtogether and start fresh Started Working on a new ConstitutionStarted Working on a new Constitution States are divided:States are divided:

Small States Vs. Large StatesSmall States Vs. Large States North Vs. SouthNorth Vs. South

How to deal with slavery and slaves in the new How to deal with slavery and slaves in the new constitutionconstitution

What about trade?What about trade?

What happens next?

The Great CompromiseThe Great Compromise(The Connecticut Compromise)(The Connecticut Compromise)

Too much fighting between large states Too much fighting between large states and small statesand small states

Great Compromise proposed by Roger Great Compromise proposed by Roger Sherman of ConnecticutSherman of Connecticut Deals with Representation in CongressDeals with Representation in Congress

Create Create BicameralBicameral Legislature in which: Legislature in which: House of Representatives is based on House of Representatives is based on

populationpopulation Chosen by the peopleChosen by the people

Senate has equal representationSenate has equal representation Chosen by the statesChosen by the states

See the other Compromises

The Constitutional The Constitutional ConventionConvention

Congress had to find a balance Congress had to find a balance between the large and small states and between the large and small states and northern and southern interests.northern and southern interests. Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan The Great Compromise The Great Compromise Representation Representation

Had to make a series of compromises Had to make a series of compromises to keep the United States unitedto keep the United States united 3/5 Compromise3/5 Compromise Slaves and Slaves and

RepresentationRepresentation Commerce (Trade) Commerce (Trade) Trade and Economy Trade and EconomyStart Exploring by Clicking the 3/5ths

Compromise

The Three-Fifths The Three-Fifths CompromiseCompromise

1 representative for every 40,000 1 representative for every 40,000 peoplepeople

The Southern States

• Want slaves to count when determining representatives

• Don’t want slaves to count when it comes to tax purposes

• Pay moreSee what the Northern States Want

The Three- Fifths The Three- Fifths CompromiseCompromise

The Northern States

• Opposed counting slaves towards determining representation

• Favored counting slaves for tax purposes

See who won

The Three- Fifths The Three- Fifths CompromiseCompromise

The Three- Fifths Compromise

• Every five slaves in a state would count as 3 people for:

• Representation

• Taxation

On to the Last Compromise

Trade CompromiseTrade Compromise

Southern Sates

• Do not want a federal government with power to regulate trade

•Does not want taxes on exports (selling) of farm products

• Cost them too much money

• Does not want the new Constitution to touch slaverySee what the Northern States Want

Trade CompromiseTrade Compromise

The Northern States

• North wants federal government to control trade

• Merchants need gov. to control foreign trade

• North wants slavery banned

See who won

Trade CompromiseTrade Compromise

Trade Compromise

• Congress can not tax exports

• Can’t ban the slave trade until 1808

• Or impose high taxes on the imports of slaves

Good Job! Now on to your assignment!